Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, however, almost let Manning’s call go to voice mail because he didn’t recognize the number.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Mayhew received an unsolicited call from Manning that offered support for Jim Caldwell, whom the Lions hired as their head coach.

Caldwell was Manning’s quarterback’s coach, and eventually head coach with the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-2011. Caldwell carries the reputation for being one of the coaches who most influenced Manning during his years in Indy.

As the head coach for the Lions, now Caldwell is now turning his attention to another promising, young quarterback: Matthew Stafford. Although Caldwell will be the head coach, he’ll have a prominent role in Stafford’s development.